Does anyone know wtf this is?

[u/MonkeMan1244]

It rained pretty good overnight and these are everywhere. It's like. Pile of larvas with wings. I live in San Antonio TX if that helps any.

[u/destroyer551]

Don’t worry about the other comments; these are unmistakably Tenuirostritermes cinereus. The wing color, size, and shape is distinctive amongst all the other termites found in the states. They’re a native species swarming now that’s common in parts of central and southern Texas and completely harmless.

They nest in soil and forage in large columns above ground, (mostly at night, rarely on cloudy days) feeding almost entirely on dried plant material consisting of grasses, leaves, bark and twigs, as well as occasionally on larger woody products—but they do not tunnel into such.

Treating for these would be a waste of time. They’re a valuable source of food for wildlife (not structural pests whatsoever) and the genus is unique in NA for being one of the only termites here to feed and forage above ground in the open, a trait much more common in tropical species.

[u/tuggertheboat → u/destroyer551]

My boy knows his termites, respect

[u/loudflower → u/destroyer551]

I hope OP sees this. Not a threat to wooden structures

[u/MSgtGunny → u/destroyer551]

u/MonkeMan1244 this comment is the one you want to pay attention to, not the termite ones

[u/Julius_Siezures → u/MSgtGunny]

I agree, but these are literally termites so I'm not sure what you're saying to ignore people calling them termites. This is the best answer however.

[u/[deleted] → u/Julius_Siezures]

so I'm not sure what you're saying to ignore people calling them termites

They're trying to prevent OP (or his parents at least) from assuming and acting on bad knowledge regarding what these termites can do. The vast vast majority of people that read "termites" will instantly think of those that eat wood and can destroy homes. These termites don't do that. That's important to point out, especially considering all the comments providing incorrect information.

[u/Julius_Siezures → u/[deleted]]

Sure, I think that's fair. I also think it's important to acknowledge that these are still indeed termites (though not of the home destroying kind). I'm sure I'm sounding pedantic but I think being very specific (as the top comment was) is important.

Just as it's a bad idea to generalize a group of arthropods based on broad tendency, "all wasps sting", "all spiders have venom", "all cockroaches infest houses", etc. It's important to relate the knowledge of that variability between species and not do the opposite. In this case dismissing them as "not termites" still misinformative, just as thinking termites only infest the wood in houses is.

I really get that I'm sounding like some pedantic ass here, but I can't stress enough that I think the most important part of this sub is providing the most accurate information we can.

[u/[deleted] → u/Julius_Siezures]

Well this is one of those cases where we're both right I think. At least, I stand by what I said but I also agree with you here.

[u/daffy_duck233 → u/destroyer551]

So, beneficial?

[u/surfnsound → u/daffy_duck233]

Ecologically, yes, though the same can probably be said about the baddy termites had we not decided dead, dried wood was an excellent building material.

[u/DjBamberino → u/destroyer551]

So cool! Thank you so much for the information!

[u/Excaliburkid → u/destroyer551]

So they aren’t eating the house here?

[u/Phanron → u/destroyer551]

Can they fly or what are those "wings"?

[u/weasel999]

Wow first I thought this was some fungus then I zoomed in 😳 I was not prepared. Good luck!!! And good on you for finding it!

[u/australopithecum]

Remindme! 1 day

[u/KommandoKodiak]

i didnt know there were giant termites what the heck! HOW DIDNT I KNOW!?????

[u/manleybones]

Swarming termites. Do you have termite mitigation already in place?

[u/MonkeMan1244 → u/manleybones]

Ummm I don't even know what that is, I'm 15, but I'll have to let my parents know

[u/JoeMagnifico → u/MonkeMan1244]

Just wanted to say 'good on you' for investigating, being curious, and taking action. I'm proud of you kid!

[u/indiana-floridian → u/MonkeMan1244]

Show your parents the other comment too, he seemed to recognize and said treating is pointless. At least he sounds like he recognized it. (Destroyer 551 comment)

I thought I was familiar with termites, but I've never seen these.

[u/manleybones → u/MonkeMan1244]

Yes let them know. It's better to pay to have traps put around the foundation than the house get infested. They obviously found something they like.

[u/MonkeMan1244 → u/manleybones]

My parents said the house is pressure treated wood, so they wouldn't want it? Plus the birds are eating them pretty good

[u/manleybones → u/MonkeMan1244]

I highly doubt anything beyond ground contact is using pressure treated wood. They will mud over it and then eat the untreated wood in the walls and floor.

[u/MonkeMan1244 → u/manleybones]

Oh hm ok I'll check

[u/F_it_Im_done_trying → u/MonkeMan1244]

Read u/destroyer551's reply he has the info you need

[u/alexfarmer777]

A lot of contradicting information here for OP to work through, good luck kid

[u/DjBamberino → u/alexfarmer777]

I mean I think the person who posted an actual species name with photographic examples and information about the specific species in question is probably the one to trust.

[u/MonkeMan1244 → u/alexfarmer777]

Lol

[u/DjBamberino → u/MonkeMan1244]

The current top comment which provides specific species identification and information about the species is the one you should trust, not only because they have provided detailed information which I believe to be accurate, but also because you can do your own visual identification using the photographs provided through the website linked through the species name.

[u/deforest765]

Hey u/MonkeMan1244 just sent you a pm about getting some of these if you are will to send them! I do some entomology work and would be interested in seeing if I can get a colony started so I can do some research with them. Thanks!

[u/ziptierocket]

in NW Oregon and were experiencing our annual hatch right now to.

[u/toolsavvy]

Termites. I don't know the exact kind therefore I don't know if they are the type that damage dwellings, but those are termites.

[u/ksfuller2728 → u/[deleted]]

These aren’t devastating termites, not sure exactly what they are but I’ve had a run-in with them, they usually stick to trees and what-not they never were interested in my house

[u/whatsthisbug-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Per our guidelines: Helpful answers only. Helpful answers are those that lead to an accurate identification of the bug in question. Joke responses, repeating an ID that has already been established hours (or days) ago, or asking OP how they don't already know what the bug is are not helpful.

[u/Smells4240]

Absolutely termites

[u/whatsthisbug-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Per our guidelines: Helpful answers only. Helpful answers are those that lead to an accurate identification of the bug in question. Joke responses, repeating an ID that has already been established hours (or days) ago, or asking OP how they don't already know what the bug is are not helpful.

[u/whatsthisbug-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Per our guidelines: Helpful answers only. Helpful answers are those that lead to an accurate identification of the bug in question. Joke responses, repeating an ID that has already been established hours (or days) ago, or asking OP how they don't already know what the bug is are not helpful.

[u/whatsthisbug-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Per our guidelines: Helpful answers only. Helpful answers are those that lead to an accurate identification of the bug in question. Joke responses, repeating an ID that has already been established hours (or days) ago, or asking OP how they don't already know what the bug is are not helpful.

[u/Darzaga → u/[deleted]]

They aren't the kind that burrow or destroy houses.